 Manuelita Brown
Personal Statement
My work has been described as eclectic and authentically personal, incorporating subtle political statement in expressive, graceful, elegant form. It is figurative, yet often with an abstract basis. Through three decades as wife, mother, and teacher (mathematics, not art) I believe that I have developed a sensitivity to universal human experiences, although my perspective as an African-American woman is often evident. If the viewer remarks, “that's me—I feel just like that” or “I remember that—I've been there” or “I know her” then I have achieved a major goal. I particularly enjoy portrait sculpture—in the faces of people, I see the wonder, the promise, and the majesty of creation. While my goal is to contribute to American public sculpture works that edify human beings and the human spirit, I also want the viewer of my work to respect the strength, the character, and the beauty of my people--the descendants of African survivors in the Americas.
Fine Arts Education
Contributors to my education as an artist began with my father, Armstead Morris. Together we did pastel illustrations for the stories he told and read. He was followed by many fine teachers in public schools, elementary through university. Experiences throughout my life are valued for their contribution to my growth as an artist. Four years of ballet was a way to study the body, its motion and anatomy. Years of studying the faces of my students while they took exams increased my ability to differentiate the characteristics and planes in faces. In the midst of the art classes listed below were other classes such as furniture design and construction, stained glass, pottery, etc. through adult school offerings and local community colleges.
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Eugene Daub, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ
Figure and Portrait Sculpture in Bas-Relief |
2004 |
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Jerry Cox, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ
Sculpture & the Dynamic Figure, Scottsdale, AZ |
2003 |
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Bruno Lucchesi, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ, Terracotta Sculpture |
2003 |
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Nigel Konstam, Verrocchio d'Arte Centro, Casole d'Elsa, Sienna, Italy
Stone carving techniques |
2000 |
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Lincoln Fox, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ
Life Sculpture-the Creative Process in Sculpture |
1997, 1999 |
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Ross Stockwell, Mesa Community College, San Diego, CA
Life sculpture, clay (1997) |
1991, 1995 |
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Lane Campbell, Sculptor and Owner, Fire Arts Foundry, San Diego, CA
Sculpture, foundry techniques |
1992-1994 |
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Trina Dixon, Arts Center, University of California, San Diego
Workshop-Portrait, terra-cotta |
1990 |
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Wayne Taysom, Oregon State University
Sculpture, clay, welded steel, metal (centrifugal & gravity) casting |
1960-1962 |
Formal Education
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M.S. Psychology University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA |
1975-1976 |
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Teaching Credential Oregon State University
Secondary Mathematics Corvallis, OR |
1966 |
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B.S. Mathematics Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR |
1960-1962 |
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Virginia State College
Petersburg, VA |
1958-1960 |
Awards & Commissions
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First Place Sculpture
Purchase Award |
The Best & The Brightest 2003
Scottsdale, AZ |
2003 |
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First Place Fine Art |
ArtScape '02
Baltimore, MD |
2002 |
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Woman of Distinction 2002 |
Soroptomist International
San Diego, CA |
2002 |
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Finalist |
Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue, 2000
Northampton, MA |
2000 |
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Best of Show 3-D |
1999 African American National Arts Festival
Dallas, TX |
1999 |
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Don Diego Sculpture Award & First Place |
Small Sculpture Division,
1998 International Fine Art Show, Del Mar Fair
Del Mar, CA |
1998 |
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Almas del Mar |
TrizecHahn Centers for University Towne
Center |
1997 |
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Matthew A. Henson bust |
Private party |
1995 |
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Thurgood Marshall bust |
University of California, San Diego |
1993 |
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Common Sense Design |
Landscape planting designs |
1976-1979 |
Juried Shows & Exhibitions
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National Black Fine Arts Show |
Puck Bldg., Soho, NY |
2004-2006 |
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Just Lookin' Gallery |
Hagerstown, MD |
2006 |
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San Diego Museum of Art Artists' Guild Juried Show |
San Diego, CA |
2003, 2005 |
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San Diego Museum of Art Artists' Guild Juried Exhibition |
Oceanside, CA |
2005 |
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Sculpture Spectacular, The Art & Cultural Center |
Fallbrook, CA |
2004 |
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Nofufi Gallery |
Encinitas, CA |
2003 |
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Artexpo NY |
New York, NY |
2003 |
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National Black Fine Arts Show |
Puck Building, New York |
2004 |
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National Black Arts Festival |
Atlanta, GA |
1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005 |
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Cova Open Studios |
Encinitas, CA |
1998, 2003 |
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101 Artists' Colony |
Encinitas, CA |
2002 |
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National Black Arts Festival |
Atlanta, GA |
1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 |
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Featured Artist – San Diego Sculptors' Guild |
San Diego, CA |
2001, 2004 |
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Solo Exhibit - UCSD Faculty Club Gallery |
University of California,
San Diego, CA |
1995, 1999 |
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African American National Arts Festival |
Dallas, TX |
1999 |
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Pan African Film Festival |
Los Angeles, CA |
1998, 1999 |
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Art Expo |
Philadelphia, PA |
1998 |
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COVA Open Studios |
San Diego, CA |
1998 |
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Sausalito Art Festival |
Sausalito, CA |
1998 |
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Magnolia Festival of the Arts plus Jazz |
El Cajon, CA |
1998, 2000 |
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Gasparilla Festival of the Arts |
Tampa, FL |
1998 |
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International Fine Art Show |
Del Mar, CA |
1993-95, 1997, 1998, 2003-2005 |
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African American Artists' Celebration |
Culver City, CA |
1996-98 |
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L.A. Juried Exhibition, William Grant Still Arts Center |
Los Angeles, CA |
1997 |
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African American Musuem of Fine Art-Juried Exhibit, Paladion |
San Diego, CA |
1997 |
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The Martin Lawrence Show |
HBO Independent Productions, FOX Network |
1996 |
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African American Musuem of Fine Art |
San Diego, CA |
1995, 1996 |
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Celebration of Fine Art |
Del Mar, CA |
1995 |
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Urban League-Cal Tech-Tournament of Roses Show |
Pasadena, CA |
1995 |
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Art Face to Face, Sponsored by San Diego Home & Garden Magazine |
San Diego, CA |
1994, 1995 |
Organizations
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San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild |
San Diego, CA |
Member & Board member |
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Arts Commission |
Chula Vista, CA |
Member |
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UCSD Black Alumni Scholarship Fund Board |
San Diego, CA |
Chair |
View Manuelita's Sculpture
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